(Juneau) - The Alaska State House today passed House Bill 36, legislation providing safeguards to the state’s voter initiative process. House Majority Leader Kyle Johansen, R-Ketchikan, Rep. Peggy Wilson, R-Wrangell, and Rep. Charisse Millett, R-Anchorage, sponsored the bill – the Open and Transparent Initiative Act – which passed by a vote of to 35 to 5.

The sponsors of HB 36 respect the constitutionally-guaranteed right citizens have to enact legislation through the initiative process. Their goal is to make the initiative process stronger and more transparent to the public.

“HB 36 will restore Alaskan’s faith in our election process by imposing more financial disclosures,” Majority Leader Johansen said. “Right now groups don’t have to file financial disclosures for up to year before the election. The public should be able to know who is funding initiatives from the very beginning. HB 36 changes the disclosure timeline so voters will see who is supporting or opposing initiatives from day one.”

Public hearings allow Alaskans to have the opportunity to see beyond the slick ad campaigns coming from groups for and against an initiative.~ Rep. Charisse Millett

Requires signature-gatherers to carry a copy of the ballot initiative when soliciting for signatures so Alaskans can read the initiative before signing the petition

Mandates a minimum of eight public hearings (two per judicial district) across the state

“Public hearings allow Alaskans to have the opportunity to see beyond the slick ad campaigns coming from groups for and against an initiative,” Rep. Charisse Millett said. “The public can ask questions and start an open dialogue about what the initiative will really accomplish.”

“Voter-approved initiatives carry the same weight as laws passed by the legislature,” Rep. Peggy Wilson said. “It is only right and fair that we shed the same amount of light on initiatives as bills and resolutions before the legislature.”

It is only right and fair that we shed the same amount of light on initiatives as bills and resolutions before the legislature.~ Rep. Peggy Wilson

HB 36 is a public disclosure bill that ensures Alaskans have information from both sides of the initiative before casting their vote on Election Day.